Bladder Cancer Statistics

In the United States there are approximately 587,000 men and women alive who have a history of cancer of the urinary bladder -- 419,000 men and 144,000 women.

5% of all cancers are bladder cancer.

Men are more likely to have bladder cancer than women. It is the 4th most common cancer in men.

It is estimated that yearly there will be approximately 76,000 new cases and 16,000 deaths.

A man has a 1 in 26 and a woman a 1 in 88 chance of getting bladder cancer in their lifetime.

Age is a factor in bladder cancer. A high percentage of people who have bladder cancer are over 55; however, it can occur at any age.

As many American women will die of bladder cancer this year as from cervical cancer.

Women often have delayed diagnoses because bladder cancer symptoms are often mistaken for common gynecological problems.

Whites are more likely to get bladder cancer than African Americans, but African Americans are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

The recurrence rate for superficial transitional cell cancer of the bladder is high and over 50% of patients have at least one recurrence within five years. Adhering to an appropriate checkup schedule is key to managing noninvasive disease.

Of urothelial tumors, more than 90% are transitional cell carcinomas.

Up to 5% of bladder cancers are squamous cell in origin.

1-2% are adenocarcinomas.

Rhabdomyosarcomas most commonly occur in children.

Nonurothelial primary bladder tumors are rare and may include small cell carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, primary lymphoma, and sarcoma.

All services of the American Bladder Cancer Society are free of charge to everyone. The ABLCS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is supported by public donations. Our purpose is to offer support and information and to advocate for the bladder cancer community. We firmly believe that lives can be saved through awareness of bladder cancer’s symptoms. Please consider helping us through your donation of time, talent, or treasure. Information on this site is not intended as medical advice but rather to help you formulate questions for your medical team. If you are having a true medical emergency, please seek immediate attention at a qualified care facility or from a medical professional.